I Invited a Dragon to Dinner: And Other Poems to Make You Laugh Out Loud

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Overview

I invited a dragon to dinner.

My parents were really surprised.

They thought he would wish for lobster and fish,

But he ordered a burger and fries...

Get ready for some of the silliest, funniest poems around!  Written entirely by fresh talent, this collection is the result of a nationwide contest to find the best new writers of verse ...

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Overview

I invited a dragon to dinner.

My parents were really surprised.

They thought he would wish for lobster and fish,

But he ordered a burger and fries...

Get ready for some of the silliest, funniest poems around!  Written entirely by fresh talent, this collection is the result of a nationwide contest to find the best new writers of verse for children.  With spirited illustrations by Chris L. Demarest, I Invited a Dragon to Dinner is a feast of delight just waiting to be devoured.  Dig in!

A collection of humorous poems about such subjects as pickles, dragons, and mothers.

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Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly
PW called this collection of 23 poets chosen in a nationwide contest "an entertaining diversion." Ages 4-up. (Mar.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly
This collection showcases the work of 23 new poets who were chosen in a nationwide contest. Unfortunately, the rhythm in many of the poems sounds the same and the verses revisit well-trod themes such as wacky parents, improbable animals in inappropriate places and outlandish dietary requests. Demarest (Firefighters A to Z), too, uncharacteristically uninspired, usually opts for the most literal interpretation of each verse. However, youngsters new to the genre will appreciate the silliness and puns, and some of the poems stand out, such as Dave Crawley's "The Attic": "There's a rumble in the attic./ A grumble in the attic./ I fear I hear (it's very clear)/ A stumble in the attic." Robert Ora Thomas offers the tale of the multitasking "Billy Bupper" who likes to combine eating and playing. The boy dresses by putting various sandwich fixings in his clothing, "So when Billy does a somersault/ He also makes his lunch." In the accompanying illustration, one of Demarest's strongest, an arc of food rises above both the catapulted boy and the words of the poem. And in Andrea Perry's cheekily sacrilegious "Bedtime Prayer," the narrator beseeches God to "Deliver me, Lord, From car sickness, blisters, and cold sores, and then,/ Don't forget liver and onions. Amen." An entertaining diversion. Ages 3-7. (Mar.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
Children's Literature
More than two dozen rhyming verses have in common both a sense of fun and a list of subjects sure to appeal to young readers and listeners. Along with the title description of the chaos that ensues with such an unusual guest, the rhymes cover strange noises in the attic, a creature under the bed, many odd characters, problems with cleanliness, the time out, vegetables, and a Bedtime Prayer to end the day. Although the poems are replete with verbal imagery, Demarest adds a comic sparkle to his visual interpretations. Sketchy watercolor vignettes surround the blocks of text with their own stories to tell. Unfortunately there is neither table of contents nor index. Notes about all the poets are included. 2002, Philomel Books/Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers, $16.99. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz
School Library Journal
K-Gr 3-This clever and whimsical collection offers a kid's-eye view of the world. In the title poem, a child explains that "I invited a dragon to dinner./My parents were really surprised./They thought he would wish for lobster and fish,/But he ordered a burger and fries." The picture shows an astonished youngster watching an enormous dragon sitting at a (destroyed) dining room table, happily munching. Some of the 29 poems play with language (what does it mean to have "caught a cold?") and transformations (what happens when "Sister Sally" swallows a squirrel, for instance). Amusing variations on eternal childhood complaints ("Detestable Vegetables" and "Why Do I Have to Be Clean?") are also included. Demarest's colorful cartoon-style watercolors are dynamic and accessible, just like most of the poems. While not especially original or distinctive, this title will make a solid addition to the poetry shelves in larger collections.-Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews
A lively picture book filled with humorous poems by a variety of new poets does what the subtitle suggests-makes the reader (and listener) laugh out loud. With poems that will remind readers of Shel Silverstein and Jack Prelutsky, this exuberantly illustrated collection discusses many topics of interest to young children. In "The Human Pickle," Denise Long amuses with the tale of a young girl called A.K. who loves pickles so much she turned into a pickle. "When her pee turned green / Her folks were unnerved. / She was put in a jar / So that she'd be preserved." Plays on words and puns add to the fun. In "A New View," by Jill Esbaum, "Susie dropped her glasses / In the mud beside the brook. / Now everybody Susie meets / Gets a dirty look." Demarest's (Bikes for Rent, 2001, etc.) signature ink-and-watercolor illustrations have just the right amount of exuberance and exaggeration to match the poets' intentions. "Theodore Standitch" is a boy who will eat everything, from "bread and toenail spread" to "A can of Spam, a candied yam." Demarest draws every single item mentioned in the poem, all stacked up and being dropped into Theodore's enormous mouth and choppers. Though the book is amended with a few sentences about each of the 24 poems and their creators, only the flap copy mentions that these poems were a result of a contest to "find the best new writers of verse for children." Little will the child reader care about such adult concerns, though. The deep belly laughs and red-faced embarrassment that come from reading words like "pee" and "belch" will be enough to make this an instant favorite. (Picture book/poetry. 5-10)
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780142400623
  • Publisher: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated
  • Publication date: 3/8/2004
  • Edition description: Reprint
  • Pages: 40
  • Sales rank: 689,845
  • Age range: 4 - 8 Years
  • Product dimensions: 8.54 (w) x 11.06 (h) x 0.14 (d)

Meet the Author

Chris Demarest lives in Lyme, New Hampshire.

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Sort by: Showing all of 3 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted April 15, 2002

    I Invited a Dragon

    Hilarious! Kids really will 'laugh out loud!'

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted April 19, 2002

    Creatures, kids and imagination under one cover!

    This is a delightful book full of fun and humor. The authors make their ideas come alive and dance in my mind. The illustrator creates visions that truly do make me laugh out loud. My grandchildren love the fleas, the octopus, the centipede, the porcupine, the head, the tickle, the sandwich and the bath! This is a 'must' for children of all ages!

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted February 20, 2010

    No text was provided for this review.

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